Trinidad's war on crime continues after talk-show host shot dead

The media fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago has been plunged into deep mourning following the murder of former radio talk show host Ricardo Welch, known as the 'Gladiator'.

He was gunned down at Parang Boulevard, Santa Cruz, yesterday morning, as he pulled out of his driveway in his Toyota Prado SUV at 9:30 a.m. It is reported by the Trinidad Express that a gunman walked up and shot him at least three times in the chest.

Welch, 54, was discovered slumped over the passenger side seat. The gunman left in a car occupied by two other men.

Reports stated that two silver-coloured Nissan Tiidas were seen parked near Welch's house.

DEFAMATION SUIT

In April 2017, Welch was awarded $700,000 plus interest in damages after a High Court judge ruled that three of his colleagues had defamed his name when they accused him on their radio shows of being a homosexual, along with other derogatory comments.

The three - Devon Welch (no relation), Andy Williams, and Juliet Davy - had also accused him of stealing public funds by extorting money from the People's National Movement.

Several Caribbean states, including Jamaica, have seen an increase in violent crimes over the past year. The twin-island republic recorded 494 murders in 2017 and has racked up 240 up to June 2018, according to information gleaned.

To tackle the crime situation, the Jamaican Government has implemented a series of special security measures, including the introduction of states of public emergency in St James, St Catherine North, and sections of the Corporate Area in recent months.

In addition, two zones of special operations have also been in effect, which have resulted in the national murder rate steadily declining since the measures have been put in place by the Andrew Holness administration.